Jesus, The Lawgiver (part 1)

Today, with us being nearly half way through the alphabet, we continue on with the letter L (for "LAWGIVER"). Living by God's (not man's) law is a controversial issue within the body of Christ, because it's (with many in His Body), wrongly insisted upon, that we are free from the law, thus, in our own estimation, we make Jesus about mercy only, and we make Him to be One who supposedly frees us from the law. You notice I said "supposedly"? I do so, because there is great error in such a mind set. You see, according to the verses I'm about to share with you, Jesus is still very much the "LAWGIVER" today. I'd also like to state, that being born again, and having a relationship with Jesus does, in no way, free us "FROM" the law, but rather, having such a relationship with Jesus, frees us "IN" the law. There is a difference, you see! Because of His healing and delivering power in our lives, He, by His Holy Spirit dwelling within our spirit, has freed us (has set us free) thus enabling us to live with the set, and/or given laws, or commandments of God. It is not by might, nor by power that this is done, but by the Spirit of the living God, within us (we being earthen vessels), so that we can live in obedience to the word of God:

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts (Zech 4:6 - KJV).

So, if you believe in the deceptive lies, that tell you, you can do "whatever you desire as a christian", and that you "can't live a holy life, cause you're just not perfect", and that you "no longer need to concern yourself with living by God's standards", then, by all means, free yourself from such deception. You see, though perhaps impossible to us, with Him all things are possible (even the ability to live a life that's pleasing to Him ... by His Spirit):

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.(Mark 10:27 - KJV).

Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight (Phil 2:12-13 - Amplified Bible)..

This last verse we just read shows that even the will within us, to do the Lord's desire, comes from the Him.

Remember when John the Baptist said, "He must increase, I must decrease" (John 3:30 - KJV)? He was speaking about his inner man. He was speaking in spiritual terms. He was saying, I (John) must come to a place in my life, where there is less of me in charge, and more of Him in charge. I must step back, and allow Him to be the Lord of my life. I must die to self (being self centered), and allow Him (by the power of His Spirit), to dwell (or make His home) in me. I must turn over the reigns of my life to Him, and allow the "increase" (of His Spirit within), to begin! Let's look into the verses I mentioned I wanted to share with you, at the beginning of Today's Treasure:

Here, the meanings clearly show that the "LAWGIVER" is one who governs, one who decrees, one who is of the law, one who appoints (His Truths), one who has blessed us with His printed note (the Word). Also mentioned is, the law being engraved, or inscribed.

Are we to think then, that all of what's been shared thus far is only speaking of what we see engraved or written on paper alone (God's written word, in Book form ... the Bible)? Is God speaking only of His Truths being engraved or inscribed, on paper only? Let's turn to Rom 2:13-16, and read what it says about this:

For it is not merely hearing the Law [read] that makes one righteous before God, but it is the doers of the Law who will be held guiltless and acquitted and justified. When Gentiles who have not the [divine] Law do instinctively what the Law requires, they are a law to themselves, since they do not have the Law. They show that the essential requirements of the Law are written in their hearts and are operating there, with which their consciences (sense of right and wrong) also bear witness; and their [moral] decisions (their arguments of reason, their condemning or approving thoughts) will accuse or perhaps defend and excuse [them]. On that day when, as my Gospel proclaims, God by Jesus Christ will judge men in regard to the things which they conceal (their hidden thoughts). (Rom 2:13-16 - Amplified Bible).

God's Laws (His Truths) are to be engraved on our hearts (all the more reason we ought to read God's word, that His word might be inscribed there, within our hearts). You see, living the law (just to live it), is not what God is looking for in our lives, but rather, He is looking for us to live His Word from our hearts (because we want to, not because we have to). It's a heart relationship He's desirous of.